STAFF EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES :

YWAM MUIZENBERG POLICIES

When living on a multi-cultural community such as ours, there are policies that help to ensure a healthy communal environment. Please realize these guidelines exist to help create a sustainable live & learn environment for all the people and have been implemented to respect you and the various cultures we represent.The following are basic guidelines that we uphold on our campus and ask you to embrace for the season you are with us:

Please Note - This is not a theological statement or personal judgment upon the communal or personal use of said substances, it is a recognition that we are a cross-cultural community consisting of people from all kinds of backgrounds and life experiences. Thus as an expression of love we ask you to set aside what may be deemed good things in your culture for the sake of the whole.

• No drug use of any kind. 

• No smoking of any kind.

Alcohol Policy

It is the intention of YWAM Muizenberg to challenge our staff to be above reproach with the topic of alcohol. Below are our policies and standards when pertaining to purchasing or consuming alcohol. Our stance is to err on the conservative side, and to act with wisdom and love. We never want to give reason for another person to over-indulge or activate an addiction. We never want to give false impressions of our actions that could destroy our testimony or the testimony of Christ.

• No consumption or purchase of alcohol within Muizenberg area from St. James to Lakeside to Capricorn (other than within your own home).

• All YWAM Muizenberg properties are intentionally “dry environments”

• All DTS’s are to be dry for staff & students.

• 2nd Level School Staff and other base staff members are never to drink with student

In all other situations, staff should use discernment and strive to be above reproach. It is helpful to consider the following questions:

Yourself: Do you have a history of abusing alcohol? Are you of legal age in your home country to drink alcohol?

The Venue/Store: Is there any department or ministry of YWAM working in the area where you publicly drink or purchase alcohol? Can drinking in public or purchasing wine at this venue cause any damage to the reputation of Christ or YWAM?

Company: Is anyone with you that you could be a stumbling block towards if they see you drink alcohol? Is anyone with you that disagrees with Christians drinking alcohol or is not familiar with Christians drinking alcohol? Is anyone with you that could desire to abuse alcohol if they drink with you? Is anyone with you that you lead whom would be uncomfortable to see you drink?

Social Media: Is anyone taking pictures that would be posted publicly and cause damage to the reputation of YWAM or your ministry?

Tobacco, Drugs and Illegal Activities Policy

• YWAM Muizenberg does not allow tobacco on its premises nor to be used by staff or students. 

• YWAM Muizenberg does not allow the use of illegal drugs by its staff or students. If any evidence surfaces of any illegal drug use the authorities will be called. We have a no-tolerance policy regarding illegal drug activities and we will enforce it, if necessary. 

Staff Leave Policy

Time Off for Vacations (or Furlough / Sabbatical for long term staff) is encouraged for your sustainability in missions- take care of yourself! It is vital that this is done in communication to your Ministry and Circle leaders.

Section A - Work

A normal working week is universally accepted to consist of 35 hours of work. YWAM Muizenberg adopted this as a measuring tool to be effective and remain accountable. We therefore define the hours of a “normal” work day as 8:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. (“Normal” excluding curriculum base staff, ministry staff and staff with responsibilities beyond a normal working day, like base leader, kitchen manager, etc.).

Section B - Leave

Due to the nature of YWAM (more intense seasons, support staff, school staff and others with major responsibilities like base leaders), there is no simple rule applying to all that will ensure fairness. The following has been determined:

Our basic annual leave is:

• 20 working days.

• Approval is required by your Department and Circle Leaders prior to confirming your intended leave plans (i.e. purchasing of flight tickets and other bookings).

• International staff (i.e. non South Africans or South Africans with an international spouse), can apply for an extension to compensate for time spent traveling.

• Unused annual leave may be accumulated for a maximum of 2 years. Any unused leave older than 2 years will be forfeited.

• Staff are to announce their leave in staff meetings only after approval.

• Staff are required to make arrangements to see their roles and responsibilities fulfilled in order for leave to be approved.

YWAM Muizenberg will be closed for Christmas and the New Year’s period for approximately 2 weeks. This is granted in addition to the annual leave. Any leave taken outside of the closing and opening dates, need to be approved of and will be counted as part of your annual leave.

South Africa has many national public holidays. Staff are granted these holidays, however ministries and/or curriculum based programs (i.e. schools) take priority over public holidays. Consult with your Department Leader how you are affected by this.

As School Staff’s involvement requires a commitment above and beyond the hours defined in Section A, compensation of 1 working day off for every 2 weeks of school and outreach with a maximum of 5 working days off per quarter. This translates into:

• 10 working days for a DTS lecture phase and outreach

• 5 working days for a 12 week school

• 5 working days per term for SBS recommended to be taken in between terms. If however it overlaps with the Christmas break, unused days can be appended at the end of the school.

Where ministries or departments do the equivalent of a normal day’s work over the weekend, leaders are to determine a reasonable compensation

Section C - Additional Exceptions

Due to the diverse circumstances of staff, a need for exceptions based on a case by case evaluation is needed for the following scenarios:

Unplanned Leave

• Sickness. Your department leader should be notified when you are sick. Department will cover your responsibilities during your absence. Any abnormal illnesses (psychological, burnout, etc.), should be referred to your Circle Leader.

• Compassion. In case of death or other cases require compassion, your Circle Leader and your Department Leader should be notified to determine an appropriate arrangement.

Planned Leave

Completion of the Leave Request Form is required to apply for additional planned leave and should be approved by your Department Leader and your Circle Leader. Your Circle Leader will determine an appropriate duration of leave. Staff are also required to resource a replacement for responsibilities for the duration of the leave. Your role, length of time in YWAM, situation, personal needs, etc. will be taken into consideration. Provision is made for the following areas:

• Further Training

• Ministry/Outreach

• Support Raising

• Sabbatical

• Wedding

• Supporter/Family Visits

• Maternity:

  • We value families. We want healthy and happy families where the needs of the whole family are given priority.

  • We like to see whole families being involved in community life at YWAM Muizenberg. (Love Feasts, staff meetings, base worship etc.) We believe that children are a blessing to our community and not a burden

  • We believe that both parents have valuable giftings to bring to YWAM Muizenberg. We therefor encourage each family to prayerfully consider how that could look in their own situation. [For parents with children still needing full-time care (no school, creche, etc.) the expectation is a 40 hours of work per week between both parents. This can be accomplished however each couple determines.]

  • In pregnancy we encourage the mothers to be as involved as possible in daily work, meetings and community life. However, we realize each pregnancy is unique and how this involvement looks will also be unique.

Part-Time Work

If, by the South African laws and visa restrictions, you are allowed to earn money, and would like to supplement your income with a part-time job, you are welcome to do so. This, however, should not interfere with your work in the community. Foreigners can enquire with personnel regarding work permits. However, your work should never become your main focus or distract you from your calling.

HIV/AIDS Policy

Youth With A Mission has an international AIDS/HIV Policy which is available upon request from your school leader. As a base it is our intention and heart to treat everyone fairly and equally and not to discriminate. 

In South Africa we have an epidemic in regards to HIV impacting on all spheres of life, with the current statistic being 1 in every 4 people is infected with the HIV virus. 

As mentioned in our international policy as a base we are likely to receive students and staff that have been infected either due to exposure prior to joining YWAM or through working in high-risk areas of ministry with YWAM. 

In South Africa the following are some of the legal aspects pertaining to HIV: 

• HIV Positive people do not have to declare their status. 

• It is against the law for any other person whether HIV Positive or not to declare the status of an HIV Positive person to someone else unless prior consent has been obtained. 

• It is unfair and illegal to discriminate against those that are HIV Positive. It is also unjust in the sight of our Lord and does not please His heart with any form of discrimination. 

• For those who are HIV Positive it would be appreciated, even though not expected or or insisted upon, for the Eldership of the base to be informed as this would help us to serve them beWer. 

• Please note that the choice is theirs and we do not desire to place anyone under any pressure or anxiety in this regard. 

How is the HIV virus spread or contracted: 

• The virus is spread through bodily fluids. 

• By cuts or wounds where some blood might be exposed. 

• Blister fluid and pus are also blood products and do contain the virus. 

The HIV Virus is NOT spread in the following ways: 

• By hugging. 

• By sharing of eating utensils such as mugs, cups, plates knives and forks etc. 

• By sharing of bathrooms, toilets etc. 

• Mosquito bites or any other insect bite. 

We believe another person’s blood is sacred and should be handled as such. If we come across a situation where we might have to assist someone where blood is involved, for the wellbeing of both the positive and negative HIV person please let us take the following precautions such as: 

• Covering our hands with latex gloves. 

• Letting the person cover their own wound with a tissue or cloth. 

Should you require any further information or assistance, please feel free to ask your school leader.

Child Protection Policy